March 26 - Joe Durnford was a recent college graduate making photocopies for a Denver accounting firm in 1988 when Dan Quayle was elected vice president of the United States.

Now Durnford is signing Quayle's paycheck.

In one of the biggest celebrity business hirings in recent Denver history, Quayle last week announced that he's joining Durnford's investment-banking firm, JD Ford & Co.

The deal will, virtually overnight, put the little-known JD Ford & Co. on the map as a significant player.

"Dan Quayle can call just about anybody, anywhere, and get his call returned," Durnford said.

In a business where access to decision-makers is crucial, Durnford sees Quayle providing an invaluable service to clients hoping to make deals with corporate chiefs.

Quayle has purchased a minority ownership stake in the firm and will run JD Ford's new office in Phoenix, where Quayle and his wife, Marilyn, reside.

JD Ford specializes in mergers, acquisitions and sales of mid-sized companies in the western United States.

The story behind attracting a national political figure to a relatively obscure Denver firm started four years ago, when Quayle made an appearance in Denver to raise support and money for his anticipated 2000 presidential run.

A friend invited Durnford to attend the small affair - about 10 people - held at the Denver ChopHouse in Lower Downtown.

Durnford, a political conservative, liked what he heard from Quayle. Before leaving the evening event, Durnford wrote a $1,000 check to Quayle's political action committee, Campaign America.

"He's got good family values, honesty, integrity, a lot of the character traits that I respect," Durnford said.

The pair corresponded occasionally over the years.

When Quayle dropped out of the presidential race last year after trailing badly in polls, he began looking for business opportunities.

In an interview last week in Denver, Quayle said there was no question about his financial motivations for seeking work.

He said people invariably are surprised to learn that his federal pension, from serving 16 years in Congress and the executive branch, will be less than $35,000 a year when he turns 60.

"Everybody asks me why I don't just go off and play golf," the 53-year-old Quayle said. "I can't. I have to work."

A mutual friend reintroduced Quayle and Durnford last October. The pair and their wives met for dinner on the deck of the exclusive Ranch on Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale.

Quayle expressed his desire for an entrepreneurial venture; Durnford responded with his interest in opening a JD Ford branch office in Phoenix.

Several more meetings and some due diligence on Quayle's part resulted in a partnership deal.

Quayle acquired an ownership stake in the firm, and not just with the equity provided by his name.

"He brought cash and cachet to the table," Durnford said.

Quayle is now one of six partners in the firm. He'll spend about half his time working on JD Ford deals, the remainder on different business ventures.

Like the other partners, he'll draw a base salary, a bonus for bringing new business to the firm, and a share of profits.

Quayle won't rule out a return to politics, although nothing is imminent. He said he has told GOP presidential candidate George W. Bush that he has no desire to serve as vice president or in any cabinet position.

"I am totally focused right now in the private sector," he said. "Who knows what will happen in seven or eight years? I'm not going to close the door on anything forever."

Quayle said he loves Phoenix, where he grew up, and likes the idea of having a business venture in his hometown.

Durnford said Quayle will fit in nicely with the firm's orientation of doing business in a more relaxed style than high-powered investment bankers based in New York.

He said Quayle shows good depth of knowledge in business issues, although Durnford reiterated what he sees as Quayle's major attribute: quick access to CEOs.

"It's not like my partners and I can't get our calls returned," Durnford said, noting that his 4-year-old firm has done about $500 million in mergers and acquisitions.

"But we have to work a little harder at it. Dan won't have to work so hard."

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